Reginaldo Gurgel Almeida is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Master “Sazinho” (from the Takeo Iano lineage) in Fortaleza, who in 2008 moved to the United States where he established a strong SAS team academy. Reginaldo Almeida has medalled in important events, such as the World Cup, the Brazilian Nationals and CBJJE’s Pan Ams, he is also a certificated referee by the IBJJF.
Leo Arruda is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under the former world BJJ champion, Luiz Guilherme AKA “Guigo”. Leo Arruda (who is also a black belt in Aikido) has won several important tournaments all over the world, including the World Cup on two occasions (by the Confederação Brasileira de Jiu Jitsu Esportivo – CBJJE) and the Pan Pacific, one of the biggest inter continental tournaments in the world.
Marcus Bello is a Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, being also one of the most important figures in the GFTeam. Bello is famed for his exquisite top game with which he defeated many big names of the sport, including legends like Tererê and Marcelinho Garcia.
Victor Estima is a prolific Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt who has medalled in some of the world’s most important BJJ tournaments such as the “Mundial”, the European Open and the World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship. Victor is also the brother of the legendary grappler, Braulio Estima.
Thadeu Vieira is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Master Paulo Wesley Lopes and the founder of the World BJJ Association, a team represented all over the world. Thadeu is also famed for his entrepreneur endeavours, having released “The BJJ Book” and the “20 Classic Armbars DVD”.
A great competitor for Gracie Barra in the turn of the century, Carlos Lemos Junior, also known as “Escorrega” (slippery), is one of the main names in the GB family and one of the first black belts to come over to Europe to coach and lanch Jiu Jitsu schools to help develop the sport in the old continent.
Famed for his unique leopard print hairstyle and his fast rise to BJJ stardom where he achieved a BJJ black belt under Master Lloyd Irvin in 3.5 years, Mike Fowler is also a very successful grappler and one of the most famous produce from Team Irvin’s camp, doing justice to the famed “Grappling Blue Print” advertised by Master Lloyd.
John Frankl is a martial artist with a background in several different styles including Karate, Kuk Sool Won, Serrada Eskrima and Thai boxing (Muay Thai). Frankl is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Roberto Maia and a pioneer in bringing the sport of BJJ to South Korea having opened possibly the very first legitimate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy in the country (in 1999).
Alessandro Capodeferro is the leader of the “Escola Bragantina de Jiu Jitsu” an affiliate of the Barbosa Jiu Jitsu team in Bragança Paulista (State of Sao Paulo). Capodeferro is an instructor and a competitor having achieved podium spots at several important tournaments such as the Sao Paulo State Championship and the World Cup.
Am accomplished Jiu Jitsu fighter in the Super Featherweight division, Bobadilla has won numerous important tournaments including the World Cup on 3 occasions, making him one of the main figures in the Grappling Fight Team camp.
Dennis Asche is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Roberto Correa AKA “Gordo” and an instructor at the Gordo Evolve academy. An American citizen, Dennis Asche has transformed his life due to BJJ, having lived extensively in Brazil and adopting the South American country as his second home.
Raoni Barcelos is a Wrestler and a top level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under 7th degree coral belt, Laerte Barcelos (his father). Training Jiu Jitsu since he was 2 years old, Raoni Barcelos has stacked up many important titles, including 4 world titles in the lower belts; he is also a successful Freestyle Wrestler having important titles such as a Freestyle National title.
Alexandre “Baiano” dos Santos is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under master Neury Gomes, he is also a Pan Pac’s medallist belonging to the famous Cia Paulista team. In 2010 he moved to Australia to help Carlos Vieira run Paulista’s ever growing franchise in the region.
Joao “Johnny” Faria is a Brazilian Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt with plenty of experience in Nogi as well. A Flavio Behring black belt, Johnny has won several important competitions since arriving in the USA in 2006 such as the Pan American and the World Nogi Championships.
A Jiu Jitsu black belt under Carlinhos Gracie, this Gracie Barra coach has trained with some of the best BJJ practitioners in the world, such as Erik Wanderlei and Marcio Feitosa. He has also been the sparring partner of Royce Gracie in preparation for several of his fights.
Rodrigo Ranieri is a World Jiu Jitsu Cup gold medallist (2006) and a top super featherweight grappler. A BJJ black belt under master Paulo Cesar Rezende, Ranieri (also known as “Mike” or “Mike Tyson”) moved to the United States where he has competed extensively in his weight class and open weight classes all around the country.
A jiu jitsu black belt from the Nova Uniao team, Bernardo Pitel was consistently since the early 2000’s one of the most active competitors in the Pluma weight division. The man from Brasilia, and student of Joao Roque has managed to medal in some of the world’s most important tournaments such as the Pan America, the Mundial and the Brazilian Nationals.
Tom Abdo is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under former world BJJ Champion Luiz Guilherme “Guigo”. Though not a regular competitor, Tom Abdo has also achieved great success in tournaments with several titles in the Sao Paulo State Championships and even a Silver Medal at the Jiu Jitsu World Cup.
This charismatic black belt from the Alliance Jiu Jitsu team has medalled in some of the world’s most Important competitions such as the Mundial, the European Open and the Pan American, he is also an important figure for BJJ in the country of Ecuador where he resides and where has established an Alliance affiliate academy.
Carlos Henrique is a 5th degree black belt under master Francisco Mansor who has medalled in important tournaments such as the International Masters & Seniors, the Pan American & the Brasileiro (Brazilian Nationals). Carlos Henrique is also one of the leaders of the Brazil 021 team, an important team that has raised champions such as Hanette Staack.